Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tonight's table features this red and white cloth from TJM.
The flatware is Calypso by Towle, purchased at about a third of what Pier One is selling it for, at CTS.
Red charger is from Pottery Barn Outlet, and the dishes are from Le Dollar Tree and cost...a dollar!
I used them once a few years ago in a Halloween Devil table, so it was time.
Your love bird can sit here, tag was on the gift Alma gave me, a Valentine Red Bird.
Doubled napkin and white alabaster ring from William Sonoma Outlet.
A hurricane with a white berry wreath, hearts and red berries is the centerpiece. This was easy, I keep this on my table till after the 14th.
The stems I have never used before are from HG, and the I used the antique glasses from my friend's mom as they had the same shape and some etchings.
Ruffled white bowls from HG, and little white bowls for the butter from CTS.
Fly away now to check out the other tables at Susan's BNOTP Tablescape Thursday, but remember, it won't be available till Thursday morning.
Hope you are planning something sweet for someone on the 14th!
I had a small filet mignon in the freezer that needed to be cooked, and some shrimp.
I sliced the filet mignon thick, seasoned the meat, got the pan hot. No oil, just sprinkle of salt on the pan. Seared it on both sides, lowered the heat and cooked a bit.
Let it sit, then sliced it. Served it on top of linguine with spinach, and did the shrimp in wine sauce. Very quick and easy! I know you aren't supposed to use shaved locatelli cheese on shrimp, but too bad, we like it! :)
The steak was as good or better than all those complicated recipes, high heat, oven off, cover with foil etc recipes!
Cut like butter!
Thanks for visiting!
Besides Susan I am joining:
Gollum for Foodie Friday
Diann for Thrifty Things Friday
Thanks to those who added the St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl button to your sidebar. I appreciate it!
Don't forget Laurie's Valentine Party coming up too!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

I love Polka Dots, any color!
I like them in Pink...Details here.
I like them in black...
And I really love them in RED!

So tonight I used my red polka dot plates, and bowls.
The bowls are from CTS and were marked down to $1.00
The runners are from Pottery Barn Outlet, an after Christmas bargain a few years ago. The polka dot salad plates are from PB Outlet too.
I love these red square plates with a wavy edge. I got them on line from Pfaltzgraff during one of their Dollar Day Sales, and yes, they were $1.00. I had bought the salad plates during the summer for 1.00, so when I saw the dinner plates, I jumped on it! I ordered 24, as I thought they would be great for a Christmas buffet, and July 4th.
Unfortunately, 4 of them arrived broken, and more unfortunately, Pfaltzgraff didn't reserve any to replace damages. Not good!
A white charger from Noritake, and a small white plate from the Gibson sets so many of us have.
White flatware from Walmart.
A little pail filled with carnations is the centerpiece, perched on a polka dot cake stand from CTS. It had a little missing paint which I fixed. I paid .29 for it!
These polka dot casserole dishes were one of my extreme scores at Cmas Tree Shops. They were in clearance, just put out, 90 % off.
You don't want to know what I paid! You do??? 59 cents, in perfect condition. I got squares too.
The candlesticks are by Villeroy and Boch, stems by Dansk, and bread plate hearts are from Michael's, marked down to .25
I still have another dotty table brewing.I think I will wait for Spring for that one!

Jacqueline at Purple Chocolate posted the cutest little cupcake baked in a silicone cupcake mold that came with a saucer. They are adorable!
I googled where to get them, but decided it was too pricey for as often as I would use it.
I thought about the cups that came with the Cambridge set, and I figured I would give it a try. Make your batter, whatever recipe you like, or even a box mix. Pour it IN the greased cup, don't fill too high, it will rise.
Bake it at 350.
After it cooled I piled fresh strawberries on top of the cake.
I whipped some heavy cream, and piped it on top.
DH was very happy to try my experiment!
I think these would be lovely to serve at a luncheon. Or a chicken pot pie baked in them too.
DH said he would eat it again, isn't he a sport? :)
Pick up that spoon and dig in!
Thanks for visiting. If you would be so kind to take the button on my sidebar, for the 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl, I would appreciate it! ♣
Joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday
Diann for Thrifty Friday
Gollum for Foodie Friday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays Cozy Homes Scenes

Sunday, January 22, 2012

It's cold!
But not frigid!
It's snowy! Our first snowfall here in NY on L.I.. Pretty good for the end of January!
But I can still find my car! And it is supposed to warm up and rain by tomorrow.
The snow peeps are happy!
We are cozy and warm, a blessing this Sunday.
A ♥ ty breakfast this morning.
Blueberry pancakes with fresh strawberries.
Strawberries are a natural for hearts...
Just make a little cut out in the top!
Eat your heart out. :)
Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Thanks for stopping in!
Joining Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescapers.
Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Chinese New Year is approaching, and I don't want to miss the opportunity for a theme table. By next Tablescape Thursday, the opportunity will have passed!
I found these fortune cookie name holders in Tuesday Morning last summer. I bought these, and my friend, Alma, The Tablescaper bought service for 12 of British Castles!
I set a place for my friend Carol, There's Always Thyme to Cook.
Her fortune?
She is the Take Out Queen of Long Island! She could write a guide book! :)
Those little ceramic cookies had to be used, so Happy Chinese New Year!
I got these Mikassa plates last year in Christmas Tree Shop, 1.99.
I used a black cloth, the plates, and lions head bowls from WSonoma Outlet.
Flatware from CTS, Napkins from WSonoma Outlet.
Fan shaped plates from HG clearance, 2.00, and little dipping bowls for our hot and duck sauce, .69 from CTS.
Stems from CTS, so are the white spoons.
The candlesticks are new, by Mikassa, from BBB, on sale and a 20% off coupon. I don't have any as tall as these, so I treated myself.
Waiting in the background is a tablecloth I found at Savers. It is lined, and a small check piping around the edge. $5.00 Working on a scape to use it!
Let's eat!
Pork Fried Rice, Snow Peas and Duck Sauce.
Or Shrimp with Crispy Walnuts...
Homemade eggrolls.
Pick one from Column A and one from Column B, or is that just a NY thing?
I have posted all the methods for these previously. I do not know exact measurements as I don't use recipes except for baking.
I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday
Sherry for Open House Thursday
Gollum for Foodie Friday
Diann for Thrifty Things Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Thanks for visiting!
Don't forget Laurie's ♥ Party on Feb.10th! She's serving Heartburn Hash! :)
And... The 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl right here!
You are all invited, so start thinking Leprechauns! :)